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Archive for the ‘Global Partnering & Biotech Investment’ Category

2:45PM – 9/30/2014: Biotech in Israel @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels by: https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

Chaired by: 

  • Laurent Choppe, Managing Partner, Cukierman & Co. Life Sciences

Panelists: 

  • Orna Palgi, OticPharma

– Antianxiety

– Otic products

  • Ora Bar, Head of Life Sciences Sector, Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy, Israel

Office of Chief Scientist, support infrastructure at the State level,collaboration with big pharma,VC likfe Sciences, New idea HOw to have the life sciences to grow.

1,000 life sciences companies, very young, originates in Hospitals or Academia – out standing Science, development of markets and mentorship is in need of infusion  of directions

– Incubators in Israel – 20% and 80% by the Government

– Market in China, Joint venture, production in China – potential WIN-WIN

  • Dan J. Gelvan, Managing Director, Life Sciences, Aurum Ventures MKI Ltd.

– drugs and pharmaceutical: Cancer, HF, Inflammatory

– early stage at university

– financial and fund raising in Israel, funnel large from Chief Scientist Office. Exit strategy, MedTech is for M&A, first stage comes from Israel

– opportunities with European companies

– Chinese come to Israel with big delegation looking for technologies that will bring progress in China

– Chinese perceive Western Medicine not to be ORAL but IV, if Oral no value for the Chinese

  • Guy Goldberg, RedHill Biopharma

– Israeli-based US and European, Stock in Tel Aviva and US, license drugs globally,

Phase iii:

– Crohn’s Disease – multifactorial bacteria treated with a compound

– resistance to bacteria

– antiemetic – different mechanism of action – fungal base

how big Pharma perceive start up companies. JP Morgan more interested.Due diligence is done

Partnership in GI, start up seen as competition by Big Pharma that has Humira for Crohn’s Disease.

– synergy with US companies

Orbimed the largest Fund in Israel is majority investor in Otic Pharma

#pharmanews @SachsAssociates@pharma_BI@BiotechNews

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2:00PM – 9/30/2014: Oncology II – Next Gen Immunotherapeutics @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels by: https://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

Co-Chaired by: 

  • Esteban Pombo-Villar, COO, Oxford BioTherapeutics

– Immunotherapy origin was in fever management. Biological approach on T cells that modulate the response in Cancer and target therapies to enhance the T cells response, vaccines are the breakthrough.

– Patient selection and cost of therapy

– combination therapy

  • Tim Herpin, Vice President, Head of Transactions (UK), Business Development, AstraZeneca

– Oncology

Stem cells

Immunotherapy – combination therapy small and large molecule

Combination in high interest in Oncology

– Patient selection

– What we anticipate for the Future

– University research, Pfizer agents in use

– Testing of combination and how to prioritize patients for treatment of combination of agents

Panelists: 

  • Daniel Teper, CEO, Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc. Hamza Suria, President and CEO, AnaptysBio, Inc.

Israeli company, drug in diagnostics in Phase II, HUJI development

Conjugate to target receptors on surface of cell in immunodiagnostics, over-expression of protein, one or two molecules delivered to the cells directly, which tumor had which type of protein over-expression

– clinical or scientific bench — two approach types for improvement in Clinical Trials.If the improvement is only few percent, no investment forward is given. Tumor reduction, survival, animal models do not provide conviction

  • Dragan Cicic, COO and CMO, Actinium Pharmaceuticals

– alpha level product, use chemo therapy to over ride cancer . Targeting a residual disease, Toxicity potential for killing 1 kg of tumor burden. Antibody targeted for bone marrow, regulator did not allow to use a single agent if the patient is a candidate for Bone marrow transplant. Need for models and guidance

– benefit bestowed on the patient, 20% cure rate vs. 1% cure, second drug more expensive yet more cost effective

  • Philippe Mauberna, CEO, Nanobiotix

– Nanoparticles, medical device, less toxic more efficient is the goal.

– Accessibility of treatment, payers, bring cure to Patient and sensibility to the environment

  • Richard Goodfellow, CEO, Scancell Holdings plc

– only Cancer Vaccine, right combination of technology to develop T cells combination of technologies, re-engineering antibodies, DNA works better with injection – T cell ability found by combination of the three technologies CD-4 T cells

– Different approach to different cancers in different stages

– Stage III, combinations of inhibitors and vaccines, if two are combine, 85% survival in Animal, thus, combination is encouraging, later stage disease, how early in diagnosis, increasing tools for early detection, thus, treating patients in early stage been easier that in an advanced stage.

– How to convert cancer into a chronic disease. avoid recurrence. Melanoma, see cancer in early stage, remove by surgery, strategy will be applicable to Melanoma, check point lung, bladder, immunotherapy, vaccines allows much flexibility. Core treatment to cancer. Testing certain combination per patient, cost of treatment in consideration

– Affordable care. manufacturing cost is vast. drugs are expensive, great utility to most patients

  • Keith Blundy, CEO, Cancer Research Technology

– Largest institute n the UK, TTA in Cancer, Small molecules, biotherapeutics,

– New agents combined with existing agents

– methods investing in modifying microphase, astroid platform, switching macrophages, T cells antibody feasible to launch immunotherapy ,mutipeptide vaccine cell-based stem cells to deliver the vaccine.

– Get survival over 20 years, early diagnosis, optimizing treatment,

DISCUSSION on the Future of immunotherapy

 
#startup#biotech

#CancerTherapy

#pharmanews

@SachsAssociates@pharma_BI

@BiotechNews

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12:00AM – 9/30/2014: Oncology I – Building the Cancer Focused Biotech @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels by: http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

Co-Chaired by: 

  • Esteban Pombo-Villar, COO, Oxford BioTherapeutics

– What is Big Pharma interested in?

– Underlying biology precedes the relations

– Other experience by Panelist

– Companion diagnostics

– The idea is the starting point — before the infrastructure

  • Katya Smirnyagina, Partner, Capricorn Venture Partners

What data gets VCs attention?

Panelists: N=9

  • Bernhard Sixt, CEO, ImmunID

– unproven biomarker, testing, sign off a test is a nightmare, Commercialization of the biomarker ImmunID has a test for predicting the response of immune inhibitors. Immunocheck for diagnostics

  • Carlos Buesa, CEO, ORYZON

Compounds used for Leukemia, data was key for Big Pharma, Leader in the fields, assets, VCs, Roche offered Partnership, collaborations with teams of Roche, knowledge of the biology by the start up infrastructure of Big Pharma was a must

  • John Haurum, CEO, F-Star

– biology behind target focus without understanding the Biology

– IP license agreement: Asset centered vehicle – all portfolio immunology and oncology – operations based in UK, exclusive rights to 23 oncology compounds, broaden the scope of the tax effective exit potential first company with corporate base, investor based

– start up collaboration, generate trust

  • Guillaume Vignon, Director of Global Business Development and Licensing, EMD Serono

Class of Molecules which are more risky to Pharma, investing in format in treatment

Corporate Venture Fund – rational for Biologics investment risk component, this fund was used for funding and provide access to Scientists of Merck,

knowledge and sponsors to invest in the company by investment from a Big Pharma, convincing the management of Merck,

– Pharma is investing in University Collaborations — it is there more is coming

  • Philip Serlin, CEO, BioLineRx Peter Sandor, VP, Global Marketing, TA Head Oncology, Amgen
  • Peter Sandor, VP Global TA Head Oncology, Amgen

Best medicine to the Patient, value creation to the patient by differentiation of efficacy, Factors: Platform late stage antibodies, small molecules

  • Robert H. Pierce, CMO, OncoSec

Cambridge, MA validate immunology mouth Program, identified by Merck, program killed , Open minds to conceptual breakthroughs, Scientists and data for translational BETTER models, not the are

  •  Stephen Sands, Commercial Lead Oncology/Immunology Hoffmann-La Roche AG

People buy people first, Human Capital is the critical component for relationships, Gap identification in the Portfolio, strengthening the diverse portfolio, identification of new talent.

– Clinical data, rational discussion is a must

– Phase III failure — due to rational not fully exploited

  • Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO, Piqur Therapeutics AG

Building a Team led by a Postdoc based in Basel. Strong financial structure, register the drug by a Global patent. Small Biotech, founders of Genetech, Amgen, noted the Scientific differentiation.inhibition very short of PKT vs competitors, discover scaffold for the drug, compound crosses brain barriers — for Brain Tumors, define the differentiation – convinces investors

– lacking know how in the drug developer vs. University structure that has the Science developed thus, ecosystem and collaboration cross organizations

QUESTION

AstraZeneca Phase III failures

 

#startup#biotech

#CancerTherapy

#pharmanews

@BiotechNews

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10:45AM – 9/30/2014: Keynote Speech by Reinhard Ambros, Global Head, Novartis Venture Fund @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels by: http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

Dr. Rosenberg:

List of acquisitions from 2003 to 2014 reviewed.

LEARNINGS:

1. Synergies are overestimated

2. Preserving Culture very important

3. Business drivesrs

4. Bolt on acquisition

5. Flexible deal structure

6. Prepare to take risk within financial responsibility

TRANSFORNING Novartis

Science dominates: six divisions: pharma, Sandoz, Alcon — each a Leader and a growth engine in their sectors

Three smaller division

OTC

Animal Health

Vaccines \: Maningitis — lacking global scope

Market attractiveness

competitive position

Synergies across division — hard to campture

NEW focus on smaller divisions: Global Scall Growing, Partnering or Diversing

Acquisition of Oncology, selling the Diagnostics. Adjustment of values very difficult.

SUMMARY

– M&A vital continues

– other deal structures – precision M&A vs Mega deals

Leadership in key areas of portfolio: Oncology, CHF – early stage partnering with IB, various Groups needs partnerships to maintain strategy outlined.

DISCUSSION

Early investment with UPenn,  Therapeutics unit, Oncology and autoimmune diseases,

Tracking CHF, Immunology, oncology, Opthalmology — no dogmatic view. NOT active in HIV, HTN, advances not clear

11:00 AM Investment 

Reinhard Ambros, Global Head, Novartis Venture Fund

Investment vs Reserves, active VCs, if a deal is made, imitation by other investors. VCs to be chosen if they can carry a transaction throughout the cycle.

US Inverstments in 2013 30 Billion

Healthcare: 5 Billion

In 2013 Series D declined 2011 – 2012 – 2013, same trend with Series F 77% decline

  • European investments are ~30 – 50% smaller vs US Investments
  • Return multipis of Healthcare VC funds over time
  • Cash-on-Cash multiple performance Health Care VC: 12 years to get your money nback, 34% never get their money back.
  • 2013 in the target zone – 5% returned x2 on original investment.
  • Why is it so hard? BENEFIT/RETURN: Innovation for Patients must be Superior
  • Unmet need/Therapeutic Impact; Management Experience: Novel proprietary Science/understanding the Mechanism: Capital efficiency
  • 5+ New Investments per year 2011-2014: Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Devices
  • 2/3 US, East Coast and West Coast
  • UK and Switzerland in Europe
  • NVF – EXITS 2012, 2013, 2014: Oncology – Celegene; Oncology -Inflammation: Takeda-Millenium; TTR amyloid: Pfizer; Vaccines: Takeda- Millenium
  • Novartis Venture Fund: Innovative and Successful
  • NVF Structure:
  • – evergreen fund structure: >55 private companies; $900 M
  • CONCLUSION
  • INVENTORS: Biotech great: INVESTORS: endurance, differential advantage – matters

Chaired by: 

 

Genghis Lloyd-Harris, Partner, Abingworth LLP

NOW LIVE: Creative Destruction – 7 Panel Members of the Panel

1. First time investment, market was 13 billion, one investment was 11Billion, undervaluation of Pharmatech, How many in Europe

2. Pace of new companies formation, if too many companies, not enough finance available

3. Is early stage very risky, yet?

4. Distructive technolotion, why they are distructive?

5. CEO first time – vs. a decade of experience – how to handle a VC?

Panelists: 

 

  • Barbara Dalton, VP Venture Capital, Pfizer Inc. #6

Last 3 years 15 investments, 1/2 in Europe, no 1st rounds, After 2008, slow revival, 2009, or 2013 — new comapnies were form, the system will sort, if biotech are started, more time to incubate. Distructive Category: Not therapeutics, but in PLATFORMS, EpiC, STCS – diagnose of Cancer, Celegyne – gene therapy in large populations, Manufacturing technology – Global manufacturing, shipping containers, vs stainless steel, plug and play mobile for manufacturing, parts for this platform. Big Iron, MRI, radiation treatment and Oncology treatment not in sequence but in same time – Chemo therapy development will benefit.

– Pitch — first time CEO, sales person, not Car salesman, in depth in the Science, finance is not enough. Scientists, needs to realize that they are tested by VCs, 1st time CEO, after PostDOcs, Microfluidics from Stanford represent success.

– Importance of the CEO, changing CEO occurs frequently, , Former CEO  to become CSO and stay in the company, bring a new CEO, understand pharmaceutical development, coaching CEOs by VCs -firing CEO, on a regular basis provide feedback.

  • Björn Odlander, Founding Partner, HeathCap #7 – 1 Billion

Majority in Europe 2 out of 7 start ups

– #3 in Europe, per capita, Sweeden, UK, in Europe behind the US – syndication business, more VCs are needed in Europe

more VCs to form an ecosystems, Risks in Biologics exists. – NO platform and No diagnostics. In Therapeutics: opportunities: Pre R&D, regulatory not a constraints

  • Carole Nuechterlein, Head of Roche Venture Fund Basel #1

Basel, S. SF,

3 never had investment 2 in Europe, one tools, one diagnostics

– do not be in a hurry, investment is like drops, in the US the amount of money is more generous

– focus on chemistry, sindicate, we expect companies to fail, part of the risk equation

– best in class, first in class innovative technology — they are distructive, revolution of the technology

– trust, transparency, communicate with VCs by CEOs, partnership is really important, ability to listen

  • Christopher Earl, Sr. Advisor, MERCK Research Fund, US, #5 Early Stage

Series A deals but nor originations, hoping VPs to build resumes, geographic concentration, pull resources to get $100Million

CEo needs ability to pick up and put up with VCs

  • Deborah Harland, General Partner, SR One #3

12 transaction 9 Early stage, 3 in Europe, not UK

– Advice to companies – you are nor yet ready, in Europe we need more VC to do Early Stage

– In the UK, Progenitor Cells generation, Progenital Therapeutics, discover cells for novice therapeutics

– CEO vs. the Founder, does not be the same, Mentorships, relations wiht Board sensitive

  • Janis Naeve, Managing Director, Amgen Ventures #4

Eight investments since 2011 2 Europeans

– 100 companies formed , not enough capital is not an issue, Management is a bottle neck

– Citros Biotech, next generation protein manufacturing, biochemical reaction, fast mix test on structure of proteins

– CEO, experience vs Enthusiasm – some go together not always. Don’t ever surprise your Investors or Board Room Members

  • Markus Hosang, General Partner, BioMedPartners AG #2

Europe focus, 6 investments, 10-11 mezzanine

EU is a considerations

– if the start is too small, management needs scrutinized

– first indication, Must be Oncology, some platform are not all

– Well balanced iwth VCs, Partners, no surprise by bad news, CSO vs CEO, some young postdocs do grow into CEOs

#startup#biotech#pharmanews @SachsAssociates@pharma_BI@BiotechNews

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9:15AM – 9/30/2014: Public Markets and M&A  @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels by: http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

9:30AM – Keynote Speech by Anthony Rosenberg, Head of Business Development and Licensing, Novartis Pharma AG – “Global M&A: a Novartis Perspective” 

Chaired by: 

  • Stephanie Léouzon, Principal and Head of Torreya Partners Europe, Torreya Partners

Presenting the panel.

Biotech sector, since 1/103, 30% increase, European Biotech up 72%, US Biotech up 100%. Large deals,

Summarizing at 10AM: Is it critical for the US to be engaged in inversion of taxation.

Panelists: 

  • David Colpman, Former Head Global Business Development at Shire

New CEO, new leadership, six companies were bought, major product for Dry eye and fibrosis. Among the strongest prospects in the industry. Tax inversion an issue in the industry. Pfizer and AstraZeneca no deal.

  • Marco Superina, Head M&A Switzerland, Head of Healthcare M&A Europe, Credit Suisse AG

Inversions: Europe Pfizer and AstraZeneca — trends of inversion will continue, platform to encourage acquisitions, In the US the inversion transaction allows US firms to lower taxes in the US, from 30% lowered to less than 20%. Irish companies are to benefit from trends in inversion of taxtion. NOTICE on Inversion: spin off qualifications addressed, US is to change the rules, raise awareness before election in the US.

  • Michael Shalmi, Senior Partner, Novo A/S

Management of wealth of the Foundation, 4 Billion Euro, portfolio of life Sciences 36 Billion entity, controlled shared programs, Venture investment in US and in Europe, commercialization of innovations, visit core strategy, larger entities acquired. Private and Public, resilience to changes. In 2002 the market value kept growing, technology fast pace to continue.

– Hearing Instrument Market: Dispensing, consolidated

– Component Market – Two players, Sonion acquired strong operational performance

Size: after a certain size it does not matter

  • Kai Brüning, Senior Portfolio Manager, IPO Asset Management GmbH

Asset management – part insurance management of Pension funds and part pharmaceutical, central banks push investment comunity to get 4% very good environment, P/E multiples 20, broad market 17, HealthCare requires Premium, Big Pharmas have +20% multiples, US invests in insurance, in Europe the investment is in Bonds, not allowed to invest in riskier deals.

Market making: the Bankers, smart investors, no commission paid, if allocation comes from the US, Anglo American market domination vs. far east involvement.

  • Tim Mitchell, CEO, Sareum Ltd.

based in Cambridge, UK. Three programs, Oncology and two preclinical. funding gap alternative financing. US and China involvement, previous moth trading determines the cash requirements for the near future.

  • Sascha Alilovic, VP MorphoSys

90 compounds, internal development vs acquisition, able yo generate 100 million propitiatory pipeline – without a need to go to the stock market,

Biotech needs understanding of valuation, being listed on the stock exchange in the US, 1 Billion valuation, US must play due to high taxation.

  • Nicolas Franco, Actelion Pharmaceutical

Launched Phased III prospects from injectable to oral. The market is more competitive, IPOs vs. Deals in the market, why sell assets, if the option of value inflection point is an option. Licensing is still an option

#startup#biotech

#pharmanews

@SachsAssociates@pharma_BI

@BiotechNews

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8:30AM – 9/30/2014: Future of Specialty Pharma in Europe @14th Global Partnering & Biotech Investment, Congress Center Basel – SACHS Associates, London

Real Time Media Conference Coverage  –  Business and Scientific Channels: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN @ http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com

8:20AM – Welcome Speech by Beth Jacobs, Managing Partner, Excellentia Global Partners 

 First event in Basel. Biotech busy year for VCs, Alibaba was the largest IPO on Wall Street, $231Billion valuation, NYT $300Millions in Fees for underwriters. Regulatory filings new requirements. Trends may continue in public and private fundings to enable bringing cure to the bedside.

Biotech ecosystem will continue to growth allowing for new business opportunities

8:30AM – Future of Specialty Pharma in Europe

Panelists: 

  • Nicholas Franco, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer, Actelion
#startup#biotech

#pharmanews

@SachsAssociates@pharma_BI

@BiotechNews

 

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What VCs Think about Your Pitch? Panel Summary of 1st Pitch Life Science Philly

Reporter: Stephen J. Williams, PhD

 

The following is a summary of the panel discussions for the  1st Pitch Life Science- Philadelphia: “Eavesdropping on Investors’ Closed Door Discussions” held on September 16, 2014 in Philadelphia.  For synopsis of the meeting see

1st Pitch Life Science- Philadelphia- What VCs Really Think of your Pitch

The meeting, as described by meeting organizer and Steering Committee member of Mid Atlantic Bio Angels Lorraine Marchand, as a “benevolent sharktank”, where presenters get open and honest feedback from experienced venture capitalists on how to improve their pitch and business.  The meeting here in Philadelphia was well attended with” over 70 attendants compareable to the 130 we get in New york”, according to MABA Founder Yaniv Sneor.

 

A few key points were discussed to improve the presenters future pitches to VC.

  1. Define your technology/product, its purpose, how it fills an unmet need, and how you are unique.
  2. Timelines and Milestones VERY IMPORTANT to have specific dates on when and what you will accomplish.
  3. If your EXIT Strategy involves OUT-LICENSING, it is important to keep this in mind when framing your patent
  4. VC’s want to see a STRONG MANAGEMENT TEAM, preferably a CEO from big pharma if you need to deal with them later
  5. if PITCH sounds too much like a science project VC’s would NOT be interested.  Show also the BUSINESS not just science
  6. know the REGULATORY RISK – talk with the FDA
  7. if market is small, son’t fret, show PROOF OF CONCEPT then show how relates to other markets
  8. show your TANGIBLE ASSETS in your pitch – if you use a new equipment show it,

Other posts related to this meeting are included below

1st Pitch Life Science- Philadelphia- What VCs Really Think of your Pitch

Hastke Inc. Presents at 1st Pitch Life Sciences-Philadelphia

LytPhage Presents at 1st Pitch Life Sciences-Philadelphia

RAbD Biotech Presents at 1st Pitch Life Sciences-Philadelphia

Also FOLLOW on TWITTER at

@pharma_BI      https://twitter.com/Pharma_BI

@BioAngelsGroup     https://twitter.com/BioAngelsGroup

 

 

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40 maps that explain the world

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

See on Scoop.itCardiovascular and vascular imaging

I’ve searched wide and far for maps that can reveal and surprise and inform in ways that the daily headlines might not.

See on www.washingtonpost.com

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